BellyBuster Submarines

The subs here are classic old school subs. The menu variety is pretty big giving you lots of options to choose from. Although their topping selection isn’t as big as Subway, their toppings are always fresh. My favourite is the lettuce they use, it’s like angel hair lettuce which gives a totally different texture when eating. The home made sub sauce is very watery and takes some scrubbing to get the smell off your hands. The service is great and the ladies are always friendly.
For lunch time, I recommend getting a 6″ as their 6″ is pretty big compared to Subway or Mr. Sub. I would say their 6″ is more like a 7−8″ sub. Although their meat can be a little tasteless, for a quick cheap lunch (in the area) that can fill you up, it does its job.

Making my way home after a night of concert hopping for Canadian Music Week, I decided to stop in for some late night eats. I’d generally heard good things about this place, including about what seems to be their trademark sub, the Turkey Bacon sub.
First thing to note, your options are minimal. 2 types of bread. 2 types of cheese. A mediocre selection of toppings. Lettuce is extremely thin shredded, and green peppers are cut into tiny pieces as well. One thing I’ll admit, the turkey is a better quality than Subway, but it’s cut so thin and only 3 slices that is was lacking in meaty content and flavour. Luckily the bacon made up for that in the meaty flavour department.
$ 11 for a 12 inch sub isn’t an impressive offering, and really left me underwhelmed as my belly was far from busting over this plainly average sized sandwich.
Not sure I get the hype… I suppose that when you put yourself in an area with the ability of catering to drunk people, it’s easier to get by without bringing something unique or even impressive to the table. And I suppose that applies to a lot of what you’ll find on this stretch of King St now that I think of it.

I don’t get these ‘meh’ reviews. What do you expect from a place called Belly Busters? I hit there at lunchtime earlier this week and found the staff to be pleasant, accommodating and the sandwich to be good though certainly not artisan or gourmet. And true to its name, no way could I finish the belly buster in one sitting — and that’s after passing on the gravy. True I could see it getting busy since it’s the size of a hall closet and there’s only room for one sandwich maker (not ‘artist’), but it’s like a wine you buy for Tuesday night: decent, nothing special but gets the job done.

This spot is nothing like the original location. At first, the subs were decent and the staff were young and friendly. Fast forward a year or so later and the subs are trash. Previously, at least the bacon was crisp and was on the thicker side. But now the bacon seems to be a lower grade, super thin and soggy. Considering bacon and turkey bacon subs are their biggest sellers, not sure why they would cheap out and replace the bacon with an inferior product. Don’t waste your time going here, this place is no better than Subway or Mr. Sub.

I wanted this place to be good so much but it’s just not. The bread is dry and didn’t taste fresh the couple of times I’ve visited. The meat is seemingly tasteless.
Extra star is for the staff who are really friendly.
Why is it so hard to find a good non-​chain restaurant sub?

SO GOOD.

There’s a lot of hating going on in these reviews, thought I would defend the legendary Belly Buster Submarines…
Sure the new King Street location has its shortcomings: you pay first, the staff is slow, the hours are inconsistent, you have to ask for toppings already part of your sub (if I order a Belly Buster sub that comes with hot peppers and mushrooms, I shouldn’t have to ask for them again when it comes time to select my toppings), and why on earth is there Sriracha sauce there?
But that’s not what Bellys is about. It’s not about fresh ingredients, new flavours, toasted bread or even good service.
Bellys is retro. It’s comfort food. They do things different and we don’t want them to change. It’s a little bit unsanitary, but that’s okay. You scoff at any sub that isn’t a classic. A bacon combo, turkey bacon or a Belly Buster are really the only acceptable options (who on earth gets a pizza sub there?). You take pride in accumulating stamps on your loyalty card. You’re there because you want your mayo applied with an oversized butter spreader, because the lettuce is thinly shredded and because you want the option of gravy.
Bellys feels like a high school reunion. When you’re there with your friends, you reminisce. When you pass by Bellys, you have to stop in, maybe even get two subs. You like your sub wrapped in wax paper and a paper bag if it’s to go, classic. You bring friends there and when they’re inevitably unimpressed you tell them «you don’t know what you’re talking about.»
This is what Bellys is about.

It was late, and I was craving a sub… I ve always been super curious about the place, the signage looked kinda cool. I was expecting a little bit of a dirtbag sandwich based on previous reviews on Unilocal.Anywho, I ordered a 6inch pizza sub. BTW this was under «HOT» subs on the menu. It was cold and had some dirty ass salami on it. I was expecting warm and pepperoni and marinara… AH NO.
Secondly, yes I was hungry… a assorted sub. A lot of toppings were on the sub that I never ordered. I actually found that kind of comical. I was hungry and ate the stinky onion sub. It actually was not that bad.
Consensus– Cold, hot, wrong toppings… meh, it squashed my craving.

This submarine is beyond horrible. I’m pretty sure submarines can’t sink, but this one should.
I work near by so I figured I’d try something new. I walked in and was greeted by a friendly face. There was no one inside during lunch hour, that should have been a hint.
THE SUB IS BLAND! when I mean bland, I mean it didn’t even have salt and pepper. I even asked for hot sauce and completely forgot I had asked for some. There’s no seasoning what so ever. The whole thing was crazy soggy (see photo) and clearly not work the $ 8 something paid. I didn’t bother finishing my sub.
I won’t go back nor would I ever recommend. No offence to the business. The worker was nice though.

I usually get the BellyBuster or Turkey Bacon subs here; both are delicious for a sub. It’s similar in price to subways/quizno’s if not a bit more, but it definitely tastes more fresh — its probably the bread.
Its sub after all so nothing to rave about, but definitely a top option during lunch time when craving a sub.

Classic sub shop with a great pedigree. Friendly staff and fresh ingredients. The North Toronto shop was a late night favourite back in hi-​school.

Honestly, I have to say that I was disappointed. I think I might go as far to say that I would have enjoyed a sub at Subway more. The bread was cold, the meat was pretty bland and tasteless, and in general, nothing really stood out for me.
I guess that the one redeeming factor of BellyBuster is the fact that it’s open very, very late. If you’re looking for decent post-​clubbing food, I guess BellyBuster would be a decent option.

Working downtown Toronto I do enjoy going out and trying new places. I do work relatively 5 minutes away from the place and kept seeing it — so decided to give it a shot. The first weird impression is that the place was not updated since the 50s, even though I understand it is new. Extremely basic menu and little to no choice in terms of toppings/​sauces etc. Decided to try one of their specials which was advertised as the best thing ever — this is when things got interesting:
1. The 12 inch bread simply doesn’t look 12 inch. I think the length is fine, but somehow extremely slim — basically so slim that realistically not a lot of stuff fit in there.
2. The sub they had advertised as the next big thing was simply a collection of cold cuts and bacon. Kinda disappointed once I saw what they put on. But then again, I could say my bad — should’ve asked more questions.
3. Minimal options — I mean some lettuce and tomatoes… and that’s it. Choice between basic mayo/​mustard/​ketchup. Nothing else. It felt like looking at my fridge contents when I was 19.
4. The bacon re-​heating process was interesting. They had a pile ready-​made and then put the entire plate to reheat in a dirty microwave, even though they only needed a few slices. I got some of the fresher stuff, but I wonder how the last few pieces taste like once they’ve been reheated like 15 times…
5. Final surprise — the small little sub I had was a resounding $ 13 — without a drink. I was upset and I had not even sat down yet.
6. While eating — little to no flavour — and a nightmare to eat. Given how slim the bread was, most of the stuff was falling off, ensuring that I ate the bread in one hand and the contents from the tray. Ended up leaving still hungry.
Finally — my buddy was just as upset as I was (small sub with few extras and expensive) and he almost wanted us to go to the food court and get a burrito or something. That’s how bad it was.
I understand their idea of keeping it more old-​school and relying on fresher simpler ingredients — but at least adjust your prices accordingly and try diversifying every once in a while. Honestly, go to Subway/​Quiznos/​Mr. Sub or whatever other fast food place that offers subs and you will have a better experience…

I have been going to the original for 20+ years so was a bit surprised when I finally walked in to the downtown location. Let’s just I say that some of the best things have not translated. I only ever get a small bacon combo and did the same this time too.
+ve: bread is amazing, real mayo, great lettuce and very fresh. Overall a great sub and better than almost any you can find in Toronto, except from the original location.
–ve: they changed the pickles, the ham and the bacon!!! Why? The sub guy does not have the same technique or speed of the main team and generally made a messier, slower sub.
Give it a try but make sure to hit up the main location if you want the best!

As a longtime denizen of the Yonge north location you can imagine my excitement at happening upon the downtown location!
I was drawn in by the sidewalk sign: bacon — what more could you ask for?
Staff v friendly. Guys were cute and funny like the guys I used to crush on in high school.
Offered me a free sub if I could find his pic on the wall — nice (didn’t find it btw)
Guy-​clean tables. Guys behind counter singing along w How Soon Is Now (smile)
I had a beer before I came in here on a Thursday after lunch so I’ll be more forgiving than some other reviewers.
Sammich:
Bacon combo on white 12 inch can’t remember price prob 8 bones or something on par w north loc.
Ya bread not quite as fluffy fresh as the boys up north, also the finely shredded lettuce not quite as meticulous. I prefer crispier bacon. Still a good sammich. Not same as north but let them get their submarine sea legs.
I liked that I could pay w a card instead of cash.
If I return to this location, I’ll ask for extra crispy bacon. Maybe just an off day w the bread and lettuce.

Tried this location for the first time yesterday. Been a long time customer of the original location. Have to say, the bacon combo sub was not even a shade of any resemblance to the original. From the stale bread, to the chunky lettuce (anyone who knows Bellys, knows they take the time to finely shred their lettuce), to the horribly undercooked and less tasty bacon (Perhaps he 20 year old microwaves really do make a difference).
The overall product was like eating an evil (and much lesser) twin. Will never go back here again. Such a shame to degrade the original belly buster name.
If you want to try and enjoy what a real bellybuster sub should be, go to the original location.

This place is like walking into Subway circa 1993. Want interesting ingredients? Too bad. Want any kind of different bread besides white or whole wheat? Too bad. The sandwich (assorted) was fine and the service was friendly, but in downtown Toronto there are so many more options to choose from.
Totally underwhelming and not as cheap as you would expect for how basic it was.

Not so hot guys. If you feel you can make a decent sub chances are high you can do better. The sub I had with turkey and bacon was remarkeably bland and I bit into something hard and completely unidentifiable in the midst of my mediocre sandwich. I’d of gone back to complain if I wasn’t trapped in meetings all day and or certain I didn’t want a free meal out of the place. This is probably my harshest review but it’s for good reason.
If I ever go to a Belly Busters again it will be at the original North York location where I’d like to imagine things are done right.

So with a name like Belly Buster, I was expecting a disgusting monster of a sandwich. Greasy and bad enough to make you want to walk home instead of hopping on the subway at St. Andrew station.
This was not the case.
I was surprised!
I wasn’t sure what to order and I asked which sandwich is the most popular.
The turkey and bacon is their top seller.
Now, I have to agree with all the others that the bacon was perfectly crispy.
The turkey is deli-​sliced and the veggies were all fresh.
The sandwich was tasty and I liked how I didn’t feel stuffed after finishing it.
But, it wasn’t a particularly memorable sandwich.
The whole wheat bun was okay, but I sort of like toasty bread.
Also, there weren’t a lot of toppings available.
Belly Buster serves up simple sandwiches.
Even though I wouldn’t consider Belly Buster a bust,
it’s not top of my list for sandwich places.

When I first heard that a Belly Busters was opening around the corner from my place /​office I was very excited. Every time I am uptown I try to make it a mission to stop in. I was a little worried when I heard they were opening a new location if it would be the same as uptown, but when I got an opportunity to try Belly Busters a day before the grand opening tomorrow I was happy to see many of the same faces from the uptown location.
If you are trying to decide what to order, go for the turkey bacon or bacon combo sub. There is something about microwaved bacon that brings the real magic to these sandwiches.
The prices are a bit more than the downtown location but this is kinda expected for King St. A foot-​long Turkey Bacon is about $ 1 more at $ 7.65 downtown. This is still very good for this area as it is hard to find cheap lunch options under $ 10!
Expect this place to be very busy!